The 20 “dream” places to go sailing in 2025

Once in a lifetime go here! We have selected twenty of the most beautiful sea destinations to go to in 2025. By boat but not only. To the four corners of the globe, unusual, unique, mythical, beautiful and… attainable!

At the 4 corners of the planet, 20 killer goals

The first vacation to be taken in the New Year must be special, to be taken by escaping from the crowds in search of mythical places by the sea that are still untouched or truly unspoiled nature. Spectacular places that are able to make us regenerate and recharge our batteries in view of the long wait for the still distant summer cruise. So, wandering around the proverbial “seven seas” and beyond we have scouted as many as twenty amazing places, each of them able to be really special and to be visited at least once in a lifetime. Each in its own way in fact has special features that make it unique and unrepeatable. All of them, however, represent opportunities to realize the dream of living a different life, in direct contact with the sea and nature, even if only for a vacation.

Guide to 20 must-see places for beach vacations in 2025

Please note: we are not just suggesting the well-known ones that may be part of many people’s dream imaginations, from French Polynesia to Brazil, from the Maldives to the Cape Verde Islands. Instead, these twenty suggestions for 2025 are destinations by sea and on the sea that are truly “far away” from everything and everyone. Destinations for a sailing cruise that, even if they are scattered to the four corners of the planet, would really be worth seeing (or even just dreaming about…) once in a lifetime. Let’s discover them together…

Zanzibar (Tanzania, Africa)

It is an ideal destination to escape the cold between December and February and is famous for its white beaches and festive atmosphere, making it enchanting at Christmas or New Year. Don’t miss the experience aboard dhows, typical local boats, to explore the Menai Bay Marine Park. Top beaches include Nungwi, with fine sand and turquoise waters; Kendwa, famous for spectacular sunsets and parties; Mnemba Island, a diver’s paradise thanks to its coral reef; and Kiwengwa, a long stretch of white sand perfect for relaxation. Finally, Prison Island, easily reached by boat, is famous for its giant turtles. For chartering, there are local operators such as Zanzibar Yacht Charters (zanzibaryachtcharters.com), Zanzibar Yacht Day Charters (zanzibaryachtdaycharters.com) or international operators.

Yucatan (Mexico)

A must-see destination for immersing oneself in the history of the Mayan civilization, it also offers exceptional locations for nautical tourism: and in winter, temperatures between 25 and 30°C are ideal for exploring the ruins and beautiful beaches. Among the places of historical interest is Chichén Itzá, famous for the Pyramid of Kukulcán, a masterpiece of pre-Columbian architecture. The capital of Yucatán, Merida, is a bustling city with colonial buildings and museums. Then there are the breathtaking beaches of Playa del Carmen and Tulum ideal for relaxation and water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. In addition, the region is famous for cenotes, natural wells in which you can swim. Several companies offer boat charters: Yucatan Sailing (yucatansailing.com) specializes in tours, Catamaran Tours (catamaran-tours.com) for catamaran experiences.

Dream Places. Curacao (Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean)

It is one of the gems of the Caribbean, perfect for those who want to escape the cold Italian weather. Famous for its crystal-clear waters and enchanting beaches, it is especially a paradise for snorkelers and divers, thanks to the rich marine life and numerous shipwrecks that lie on its seabed. The island then offers breathtaking tropical landscapes and enchanting beaches such as Grote Knip, nestled between cliffs. Also worth seeing are Cas Abou, famous for its fine sand, and Playa Porto Mari, chosen by snorkelers. The capital, Willemstad, with its colorful colonial buildings overlooking the harbor is a mix of culture and history. Curaçao then is known for its vibrant food scene and events, especially Carnival. To explore the island there are several operators such as Curaçao Sailing (curacaosailing.com) and Sailing Curaçao (sailingcuracao.com).

Dream Places. Jamaica (Caribbean)

Jamaica by boat? Why not? From December to April, the island offers ideal weather with temperatures from 24 to 31°C. There are many must-see beaches such as Negril, beloved for its white sand and relaxed atmosphere. Also not to be missed are Seven Mile Beach, for breathtaking sunsets, and James Bond Beach, known for being a set for 007 films. The capital, Kingston, is a vibrant cultural center, where you can visit historic sites related to reggae music and the legendary Bob Marley. Thanks to its vibrant music scene, Jamaica hosts reggae festivals year-round, offering a unique mix of culture and entertainment. Finally, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures: from bamboo rafting to Dunn’s River waterfall tours. Several companies operate for charter, such as Jamaica Yacht Charters (jamaicayachtcharters.com) and Sailing Jamaica (sailingjamaica.com).

Thailand

Thailand is one of the most fascinating destinations for beachgoers in winter, a perfect time to explore its beautiful beaches. Among those not to be missed is Railay Beach in Krabi, famous for its cliffs and accessible only by boat. Another gem is the island of Koh Phi Phi, where the famous Maya Bay gained world fame with the movie “The Beach”: it is a tropical paradise with lush vegetation all around. The island of Koh Lanta also offers lovely beaches such as Kantiang Beach, perfect for those seeking relaxation and natural beauty. Thai culture is deeply connected to the sea, and many islands offer unique nautical experiences. In fact, the tradition of sailing is ancient, and there are numerous operators that allow you to explore the country such as Thailand Yacht Charter (thailandyachtcharter.com) and Sailing Thailand (sailingthailand.com).

New Zealand

If you love sailing, New Zealand is the ideal country for you, not only because of its recent America’s Cup 2024 victory. New Zealand culture is all about the sea, with the sailing tradition playing a strong role in everyday life: more than three million New Zealanders are sailors or boating enthusiasts. To see on a cruise first and foremost here is the Bay of Islands and the vibrant city of Auckland, which hosts year-round sailing festivals. Iconic place for sailing enthusiasts is also Waitemata Harbour, while Milford Sound is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the world. The capital Wellington is then a great starting point for exploring the south coast and enjoying water sports. Finally, Rotorua is famous for its hot springs and Maori culture. Local operators include Yacht Charter New Zealand (yachtcharternz.com).

Dream Places. Bequia (Grenadines, Caribbean)

Bequia, despite its small size (7 square miles), is not only a must stop for those sailing in the Grenadines. The island is also a surprisingly pleasant place to stop for a vacation. Bequia has the right balance of tourist facilities and an atmosphere that makes you feel far from the chaotic Western world. Do you want beautiful beaches? Princess Margaret Beach, Lower Bay and Friendship Bay are perfect for swimming, snorkeling and diving. If you want there is also the uninhabited islet of Petit Navis, which can be reached by boat with a one-mile boat ride, where an abandoned whale bone “factory” stands. The island is in fact on the route of humpback whales. The small town of Port Elisabeth, which crowns the stunning Admiralty Bay, is a good opportunity to visit the stores of those who, having arrived by boat, have decided to stay there.

Mitsio Islands (Madagascar)

The Mitsio Archipelago is a paradise 40 miles off the northern coast of Madagascar. It can be reached by boat (but also by seaplane) from Nosy Be. There are six main islets and a myriad of uninhabited rocks and reefs. The best season to visit them is from April to November. The capital of the Mitsio is the island of Tsarabantjina. Unspoiled, by tropical vegetation spread over an area of 22 hectares. One can walk without danger, climb hills and get lost in the tangle of its lush vegetation. On the small beach peninsula is the tomb with the bodies placed in dugouts of the Sakalava kings of the Mitsio Islands. It is still worshipped today and offerings are brought. Several companies operate for hire.

Ryukyu Islands (Japan)

That Japan has an archipelago with a warm, tropical climate may be overlooked by many: the Ryukyu Islands are a true paradise. Starting with Okinawa, the largest of them all, which number about 160 and rise lonely in the middle of the Pacific. Located 685 kilometers south of Japan’s southernmost tip, Kyushu, Okinawa is a good 1,200 kilometers from the city of Osaka and even 1,600 kilometers from Tokyo. This is also why its temperate, sub-tropical climate is very different from that of the rest of the country. Likewise different is the morphology of the island and archipelago: although we are in Japan whose symbol is the snow-capped Mount Fuji, here we find flat white sandy beaches, kilometer-long coral reefs, lush tropical vegetation, and, of course, a cobalt blue sea on which sailing is truly a pleasure.

Dream Places. St. Helena Island (Africa)

1,200 miles from the African coast of Angola and 1,800 from the South American coast of Brazil lies this remote but truly fascinating island, famous for being the last place of exile of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died here. St. Helena is a small paradise of protected nature that can be visited by boat, either by arriving there on a cruise by sea or by renting a boat locally. Perhaps, if you are a fishing enthusiast, that of one of the many local fishermen who gladly take tourists on fishing trips as long as an entire weekend. As a volcanic island, St. Helena is home to a barren but wild and fascinating nature of undulating inland relief and rocky coastlines that often open into small jewel-like coves.

Praslin (Seychelles)

Scattered among some 1,400,000 square kilometers of Indian Ocean, the 115 islands of the Seychelles archipelago have fascinated sailors for centuries. But only in the last few decades has it finally been possible to visit them on a free cruise, enjoying a solitary route among the uninhabited atolls just as buccaneers did three hundred years ago. Among the many islands that would be worth exploring by boat on a true pleasure cruise, then, for example, there is the large Praslin, which is also one of the most famous touristically for hosting wonderful bays such as that of Anse Lazio. Not far from Praslin-just a mile of flat sea-then, there is also the truly incredible isle of Curieuse: just under 2 square miles wide, it is completely protected by a nature reserve created to preserve its flora and fauna, above and below the magnificent sea.

Con Dao Archipelago (Vietnam)

A group comprising 16 three uninhabited islands and islets positioned in the South China Sea, east of the Vietnamese promontory of Ca Mau, Con Dao is 50 miles from the nearest mainland. Hidden beneath the archipelago’s stunning waters are long, pristine coral reefs whose some 200 different species cover more than 42 percent of the surrounding sea: so much so that more than 1380 species of underwater flora and fauna proliferate in them. Among the many wonderful bays, on the other hand, not to be missed is first and foremost An Hai, located on the main island of Dao and enclosed by a long beach of white sand and tropical palms. Among the rocky and arched shores of Bay Canh, which is the second largest island in the archipelago are two dozen unnamed coves so lonely that they are home only to sea turtle eggs and nests.

Maui (Hawaiian Islands)

Maui, Hawaii’s second-largest island is also a favorite among tourists and yachtsmen: it is full of deserted beaches and lush landscapes to admire from the deck of one’s boat. Along the shoreline of Kihei Department, for example, one discovers the protected area of Kamaole State Beach Park: it is a truly wilderness area that is ideal for snorkeling and spotting sea turtles. Further north, sailing unhurriedly even under sail, one can then reach the province of Kapalua: here those who love trekking can go ashore to follow some simple paths that wind through ancient lava formations and along the sea. Finally, one of the most popular attractions, Haleakala National Park, is also worth seeing: it winds around the summit of the extinct volcano of the same name and is also home to the magnificent Wailua Falls.

Negombo (Sri Lanka)

A simple, delightful, and colorful fishing village less than 25 miles along the west coast from Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, the village of Negombo is the perfect starting point for going to visit the many dreamy beaches that characterize this part of the Indian Ocean island. While tourism in Sri Lanka has long been concentrated in Dambulla and the beaches of the southern coast, today you can go and discover by sea a beautiful part of the country that is also still little exploited touristically. And in the evening, when you return to Negombo harbor, you can relax by dining at one of the many seafood restaurants, at the tables of which only local shrimp and crabs are served, which are delicious. And after dinner you walk around the charming village center, known for its colonial-style buildings.

Dream Places. Mingan Islands (Quebec, Canada)

In the wild Côte-Nord region of Quebec, located in one of Canada’s most pristine areas, the Mingan Archipelago also constitutes a national reserve on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. To go boating here is to make a constant discovery of natural wonders of flora and fauna, but more importantly it allows one to cruise among the largest concentration of rocky monoliths sculpted and shaped by sea and wind erosion, standing like fossilized works of art. Ashore then one can disembark to visit numerous lonely beaches that are completely surrounded by swamps and forests. And watching over this spectacular and still unspoiled land are the people of the Innuit First Nations group who also organize nature hikes to tell tourists the legends of their archaic and unique traditions.

El Salvador

Always a very closed and complex country, El Salvador is trying to open up to global tourism and also linked to natural and marine beauty. From San Salvador, the capital, where a typical culinary scene is also taking hold, led by the fine dining establishment El Xolo, inside the Museo Nacional de Antropología. From here, however, the real nautical journey obviously leads along the coast: famous as a paradise for surfers then Playa El Tunco is now a true marine destination: in fact, on its long beach there are also campsites equipped with nautical services and eco lodges with typical restaurants. Another marine place and symbol of the country is then the fish market held in Puerto de la Libertad, while a truly unique and spectacular location is the oyster bar located along the Chepe Aleta River in the village of El Zonte.

Dream Places. Gulf of Moreton (Brisbane, Australia)

Located on the east coast of Australia, Brisbane is a city that takes full advantage of its sunny climate to provide even nautical tourists with many outdoor experiences: especially along the shores of islands not far from the center and winding through the middle of Moreton Gulf. One then sets sail from the city’s open harbor on the Brisbane River of the same name to launch into sailing among Moreton’s hundreds of islands: there are vastly different ones, from flat sandy ones suitable for picnics and swimming, to small outcrops only half a kilometer wide. Then there is the eponymous Moreton Island, whose coastline is famous for the high golden sand dunes it hosts. Also sandy is the shoreline of the larger North Stradbroke Island: the most beautiful and not-to-be-missed bay is Frenchman’s Beach. Also worth discovering are the inland freshwater lakes.

Flores (Indonesia)

Belonging to the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago in Indonesia, Flores Island has an area of about 14 thousand square kilometers, but more importantly it is, apart from Komodo, the only other part of the world where the famous Komodo varanus – dragons – can be spotted in the wild. However, it is not only this tourist attraction that makes the island a nautical paradise: o is instead the spectacular coral reef that surrounds its shores and includes beautiful corals and an immense variety of tropical fish. Among the most fascinating inlets is Labuan, whose crystal-clear waters are also famous for whale shark sightings. Also not to be missed during a cruise to Flores is the nearby island of Bajawa, which is home to some beautiful beaches and the extinct Iniere volcano, famous for its archaic megaliths.

Santa Cruz (California, USA)

Visiting Santa Cruz, in the north central part of California, on the magnificent Monterrey Bay, means discovering from the sea a destination full of inlets that offer splendid panoramic views. It starts at the Santa Cruz Wharf: it is the city’s first wharf, built in 1914, and from here it is possible to rent boats for sea excursions, fishing and, not least for those who love the wilderness, spotting sea lions, sea otters, dolphins and whales. A first landing spot not far away is Cowell’s Beach cove: it is enclosed by a beach where the sea has long, gentle waves, ideal for surfing novices. Continuing eastward across the St. Lawrence River, the shoreline continues to Seabright State Beach atop which stands the Walton Lighthouse: it is a long, wide beach, accessible or not depending on the tide.

Dream Places. Saipan (Mariana Islands)

Saipan is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory located in the Western Pacific. It is characterized by sandy beaches combined with mountainous landscapes inland: in fact, at its center is Mount Tapochau, which at nearly 500 meters high is the island’s largest peak. The most touristically developed island in the Marianas, Saipan is home to many spectacular golden beaches such as Obyan Beach, Pau Pau Beach, Micro Beach, and Wing Beach. One of the most beautiful beaches in this rugged area, however, is on the small island of Managaha, just a 10-minute boat ride from the main island: it is perfect for snorkeling and diving. Saipan is also rich in historical sites, such as the ruins of the ancient Pacific civilizations of Chamorro and Carolinian or the pictographs painted on Kalabera Cave.